Area Transportation Partnerships (ATP)

MnDOT created Area Transportation Partnerships over two decades ago in response to changes in federal law that increased state flexibility and the need for public involvement in transportation planning and program decision-making. ATPs were established by each district specifically to facilitate broader input to the federal project selection process for the development of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which is a four-year program of state and local projects with federal highway and transit funding, as well as 100% state project funding. There are eight ATPs statewide.

The Northeastern Minnesota ATP includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St. Louis counties. It is a committee of elected officials, engineers, planners and other agency representatives from an eight county area of northeast Minnesota.

Additional information on the Northeastern ATP is available at http://www.nemnatp.org/

Toward Zero Deaths (TZD)

Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) is a multi-agency partnership led by the Minnesota Departments of Transportation, Public Safety and Health in cooperation with the FHWA, Minnesota county engineers, the Center for Transportation Studies and other traffic safety organizations. It provides an integrated approach to the application of education, engineering, enforcement and emergency medical and trauma services. The goal is to raise awareness of traffic safety issues and to develop tools that can be used to reduce the number of deaths and injuries resulting from traffic crashes in Minnesota.

The Northeastern TZD Partnership includes the counties of St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Carlton, Aitkin, Itasca, Pine and Koochiching.

Additional information on TZD is available at: http://www.minnesotatzd.org

Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council

MPOs have the lead responsibility for the development of a metropolitan area's transportation plans and coordinating the transportation planning process.  All urban areas over 50,000 in population are required to have an MPO if the agencies spend Federal funds on transportation improvements. 

The MIC’s Planning Area is 617 square miles and is encompassed within St. Louis and Douglas counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Minnesota it includes the Cities of Duluth, Hermantown and Proctor, and the townships of Canosia, Duluth, Grand Lake, Lakewood, Midway, Rice Lake and Solway. In Wisconsin it includes the City of Superior, the townships of Lakeside, Parkland and Superior and the villages of Oliver and Superior.

The MPO is required to prepare a long-range (20 year horizon) transportation plan and a four-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). These are developed in cooperation with the state and transit operators. The TIP is updated annually and includes a prioritized list of projects and a financial plan consistent with anticipated funding. The state incorporates the approved TIP into the STIP.

The MIC is the designated MPO for this area and is advised by a TAC. The TAC’s purpose is to advise the Metropolitan Interstate Council in transportation-related matters including, but not limited to, the development of transportation plans and programs, preparation of the transportation portion of work programs and study designs, and review of transportation projects submitted by the MIC. District One staff sit on the MIC TAC.

Additional information on the MIC is available at: http://www.dsmic.org/

Tribal Relationships

District 1 has a close working relationship with all three tribes within its boundaries. MnDOT meets with these tribes annually to discuss transportation. A member from all three tribes also sit on the ATP.

ARDC’s Regional Transportation Advisory Committee

District One is an active member of the RTAC. The RTAC is a forum for transportation officials and elected officials from the Arrowhead Region to discuss regional transportation issues and set regional priorities. The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission staffs the RTAC. In addition to being a regional forum, the RTAC advises ARDC on its transportation planning projects and helps to prioritize applications to the RTAC In-Kind Transportation Planning Grant for funding.